§ Q4. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister if he will consult the other Commonwealth Prime Ministers with a view to making a joint proposal for the seating of the Pekin Government during the current session of the United Nations.
§ The Prime MinisterThe question at issue is whether China shall be represented in the United Nations, as hitherto, by the Nationalist Chinese authorities in Formosa or by the Government of the Chinese People's Republic. Her Majesty's Government's views on this are well known; but, as I have said before, this is a complex matter on which differing views have been held within the Commonwealth. We have, naturally, discussed this problem with Commonwealth Governments and, now that the United Nations General Assembly is shortly to consider the issue, we are in close touch with Commonwealth and other delegations at the United Nations.
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that twelve years have passed since Her Majesty's Government first recognised the Pekin Government as the legal Government of 600 million Chinese, and in view of the mounting evidence that the majority of the United Nations have come to feel that it is a dangerous absurdity to treat the Formosa Government as the legal representative of more, now, than 600 million Chinese, can the Prime Minister tell us whether Her Majesty's Government now propose to take an initiative to bring this dangerous and absurd situation to an end?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, it is a very complex situation. It is our objective and, I believe, that of our friends, to devise an honourable solution acceptable as far as possible to all the parties.
§ Mr. Farey-JonesIn view of the tragic menace which faces the whole continent of Asia, will the Prime Minister give the House his assurance that nothing will occur to widen the present divergence of policy between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States on this matter, which is of paramount importance to at least a third of the human race?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, that is one of the complexities of the situation. Broadly speaking, we have expressed our views. We hope that we shall be able to devise a satisfactory solution, but we have to take into account the general state of the world and of the problems which face us. I still hope that it may be possible to find a solution which is generally acceptable.
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that all the Asian members of the Commonwealth have declared themselves in favour of the admission of the Pekin Government and that General Ayub Khan made a powerful plea on this matter during a recent meeting he had with the United States Congress, does not the Prime Minister feel that Her Majesty's Government now owe a duty to the Commonwealth to try to get some action?
§ The Prime MinisterThe first thing would be to get agreement within the Commonwealth.